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Kits using FWD donors to give mid/rear layout RWD?
nick205 - 3/9/21 at 10:31 AM

Morning all,

What kits (if any) are out there for mid/rear engine cars using transverse engine + gearbox from a FWD donor car to give a RWD result?

Must be car engine + gearbox based, not bike.

Thanks,
Nick

russbost - 3/9/21 at 11:11 AM

Sylva R1ot was available with car engined option, believe it was the small 1600 Ford engine , Sigma, not certain of donor - Fiesta I think?

Other than that there was a Fury derivative - again, I think, called the Menace, not 100% certain that one was car as well as bike though

loggyboy - 3/9/21 at 12:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by russbost
Sylva R1ot was available with car engined option, believe it was the small 1600 Ford engine , Sigma, not certain of donor - Fiesta I think?

Other than that there was a Fury derivative - again, I think, called the Menace, not 100% certain that one was car as well as bike though


Yes the original Riot. The R1ot got the adapted name to suit the Bike engine.

https://www.riotcars.co.uk/riots-classic/

loggyboy - 3/9/21 at 12:30 PM

Its an older one but I also recall seeing one of these a few years back at an autosolo. Didn't appear to like being pushed, all the weight on the rear just meant it under-steered everywhere.
http://www.cc-cyclone.co.uk/

big_wasa - 3/9/21 at 12:37 PM

Road Track Race (Mev)Rocket

adithorp - 3/9/21 at 12:45 PM

Jeremy Phillips has done a few Mid-engined Sylvas. As was his want he usually moved the designs on to other manufacturers after a while.

The Mojo using Ford motors then the Riot developed from that initially with car engine, though later most are BEC and now being done again with ford ecoboost I believe. After that the J15/16/17. J15 has either zetec or duratec. J16 Vectis with MGF (inc subframes) and finally J17 with MGF k-series (but not the subframes). At that point he sold Sylva and retired. The current owner of the mark seems to have mothballed it and I can't remember who has the rights on the earlier models.

quote:
Originally posted by russbost
...Other than that there was a Fury derivative - again, I think, called the Menace, not 100% certain that one was car as well as bike though


The Menace was bike engine and only 1/2dozen made.

russbost - 3/9/21 at 01:06 PM

The Cyclone was an excellent kit, but hasn't been available for ages, I believe there was a dispute & the jigs were cut up!

There was also the Sylva Mojo & further developments of it called Mojo 2 & Mojo SE IIRC

Russell - 3/9/21 at 01:18 PM

I've got a mid-engined Spire GTR using a VW Passat 1.8T FWD engine and transaxle. It's in-line not transverse but similar in concept to what you're asking about.

Sanzomat - 3/9/21 at 02:12 PM

Don't forget all of the GTM's from Cox through Heery/Coupe, Rossa 1,2 and K3 and then the Libra/Spyder.

Prior to K3 Rossa they were all mini engined with a mini front subframe at the back. K3 onwards Rover K series and the very later Libra/Spyder had an option to use Honda (and even a couple of Toyota ones for the export market).

Rover K series has been used in many mid engined cars including of course the Lotus Elise S1 and S2 and various kits such as the Marlin 5Exi

There is also the Sonic7 that uses Mk1 Focus engine/gearbox mounted mid/rear. That project has just been sold on but still using the Equilibrium name. Was originally another MEV design.

On the GTM theme, Hambly sportcars are (kind of) still marketing a new incarnation of the orginal GTM coupe that uses Fiesta Zetec engine/box mid mounted.

The Raffo Belva used Ford Zetec amidships too.

Myke 2463 - 3/9/21 at 03:52 PM

If you like a challenge check out the Midlana.

nick205 - 3/9/21 at 05:49 PM

Thank you, some to check out.

I have a Peugeot Mi16 engine and gearbox in mind (as I have them available to use). Happy to modify something to use what I have though.

russbost - 3/9/21 at 07:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Thank you, some to check out.

I have a Peugeot Mi16 engine and gearbox in mind (as I have them available to use). Happy to modify something to use what I have though.


I'm sure you could drop that in the back of a Furore, perhaps with some minor mods!

nick205 - 4/9/21 at 12:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by russbost
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Thank you, some to check out.

I have a Peugeot Mi16 engine and gearbox in mind (as I have them available to use). Happy to modify something to use what I have though.


I'm sure you could drop that in the back of a Furore, perhaps with some minor mods!



You may have a good point

ianhurley20 - 4/9/21 at 09:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Myke 2463
If you like a challenge check out the Midlana.



My money would be on the Midlana as well CorseChris on here has done a brilliant build - documented on here https://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/topic/127535-non-westfield-build/

Ok bit of a challenge but it gives you lots of freedom to decide on spec and build and keeps the old 7 very much in mind

jacko - 5/9/21 at 02:38 PM

Not a kit but I always liked the lotus europa

nick205 - 6/9/21 at 07:42 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Russell
I've got a mid-engined Spire GTR using a VW Passat 1.8T FWD engine and transaxle. It's in-line not transverse but similar in concept to what you're asking about.



Always thought that VAG transmission would lend itself to that sort of application. Seemed a shame in their tin tops as it pushed the engine so far forward over the front axle, but for better suited for the application you describe (and I'm after).

Schrodinger - 6/9/21 at 09:03 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jacko
Not a kit but I always liked the lotus europa


IIRC you could buy the Europa as a kit when it first came out to negate purchase tax.

Mike Wood - 11/9/21 at 08:27 PM

What about a T89 Razorbill built from plans with a replica Lola sports racer body and VAG 1.8 turbo engine and gearbox: http://www.t89.co.uk/product/razorbill-full-plans-pack/

Cheers
Mike